Football Italia
·18 agosto 2025
Why Leeds have to wait for Leao before completing Okafor deal with Milan

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·18 agosto 2025
Leeds United are closing in on a deal with Milan for forward Noah Okafor, but recent updates in Italy suggest that the Rossoneri want to wait to hear back regarding Rafael Leao’s condition before sanctioning a sale of the Switzerland international.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leeds have an agreement on personal terms in place with Okafor, but have not yet reached a full agreement with Milan.
The Rossoneri have been seeking a fee of €20m to sell the 25-year-old, who moved to San Siro at a cost in the region of €13m-€15m two years ago. Updates from Calciomercato.com claim that Leeds are close to matching Milan’s valuation, and that a deal could feasibly go through within the next few days.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 31: Noah Okafor of AC Milan in action during the match between Perth Glory and AC Milan at HBF Park on July 31, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Calciomercato adds, however, that Milan are waiting to hear back about Leao’s condition following the injury he picked up during the Coppa Italia first round on Monday night.
The Portugal international lined up as a starting centre-forward alongside Christian Pulisic and found the net within the first 15 minutes of an eventual 2-0 win over Bari in San Siro, but was forced off with an apparent calf injury shortly afterwards.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Monday’s update claims that Milan want to know how long it will take Leao to recover before signing off on a sale of Okafor to Leeds.